A Contract Research Organisation (CRO), Stockholm-based
A+ Science offers services in clinical trials for both pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The services are provided with a focus on clinical trial management, outsourcing of consultants and pharmacovigilance.
A+ Science was founded in 1997 by a team of cardiovascular researchers around the management of a large clinical study known as ASCOT. This involved almost 20,000 patients across the Nordic region, the UK and Ireland, and resulted in changes in national and international guidelines in lipid-lowering and the optimal management of hypertension.
Shortly after that, and most likely related to the success of the study, the company expanded. After opening several offices across Sweden, and providing clinical trial, continuing medical education and outsourcing of consultants., A+ Science restructured in 2013 and became a CRO run by its employees.
Client relationships first
One of the main things that makes A+ Science different is that all employees are also shareholders, creating a simpler, flatter organisation.
“Our aim with the restructure was to make A+ Science the CRO best known for its personnel and its focus on client satisfaction”, says Jennifer Heyno, A+ Science CEO.
“Today, there is an openness and enormous engagement from all employees. We all agree and believe that client relationships are the most important thing. Many of our clients do not have any experience from previous clinical trials, so it is very important to us that they feel confident that they have chosen a CRO-partner that provides good quality services with qualified personnel”, Jennifer Heyno continues.
All services can be tailored
A+ Science works with clinical trials from phase I to phase IV for pharmaceuticals as well as studies for medical devices, across all therapeutic areas.
“All our services can be tailored to individual clients, and include writing from protocols to final reports, protocol development and submission, project and data management, clinical monitoring, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory services”, says Johanna Andlin, Head of Clinical Operations. She explains further that A+ Science also provides clinical trial and safety and pharmacovigilance personnel to other companies on a short-or long-term basis, from entry to management level.
Expanding in pharmacovigilance
The company’s plan is to grow organically, rather than expand quickly through acquisition. To meet clients’ needs, A+ Science has a well-established network of partner CROs and consultants, particularly for bigger projects, or for clinical trials that extend beyond Sweden.
“Pharmacovigilance is a growing area; more and more companies are turning to us for assistance with those services. We have a fantastic and ambitious team. We can provide a full-service or customised pharmacovigilance solutions or support within specific pharmacovigilance functions. Anything is possible – and we make it happen”, concludes Johanna Andlin.
